Areas in north Arkansas will receive a mix of winter precipitation from a strong cold front sweeping the state Saturday night, the National Weather Service said.

Forecasters said rain — which is expected to drop in northern areas Saturday afternoon — will transform into a mix of snow and sleet. That wintry mix will later change into snow, which the weather service said will bring at least 1 inch of snow accumulations to northwest Arkansas. In the northeastern corner of Arkansas, at least 3 inches of snowfall are expected.

Central Arkansas will get light snow accumulations that will reach less than an inch, the weather service said.

"Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities and use caution while driving," forecasters said.

Temperatures behind this cold front are expected to drop quickly and will be "significantly colder than this area has experienced in several years" starting Monday, the national weather service said.

Forecasters said Monday's temperatures will range between zero and single digits in the state's north, in the teens in the central area, and between 15 and 20 degrees in the south.